Read A Whistleblower/Qui Tam Law Overview From A Dallas Attorney

There is a saying that no good deed goes unpunished. The honest employee who exposes fraud or illegal acts is often subjected to retaliation, including being fired and blacklisted. So the federal government and the state of Texas created generous financial incentives for whistleblowers.

I am attorney James “Rusty” Tucker. Fraud against the government is so prevalent that I have been able to carve out a full-time career representing whistleblowers in qui tam lawsuits. At Law Offices of James R. Tucker, P.C., I have recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of clients as their bounty for alerting government investigators to fraud and corruption.

Thinking of becoming a whistleblower? Use my more than 40 years of experience to protect yourself and position yourself for a monetary reward. Get a free, confidential consultation by calling us at 214-617-2181.

What Is A Whistleblower?

A whistleblower is any person – usually an employee or ex-employee – who calls attention to unlawful activity. It could be anything from upcoding of medical claims to illegal kickbacks or billing for services never provided. In the cases I handle, the illegal activity is defrauding the U.S. government or state of Texas, chiefly in the health care industry. I have secured recoveries in a wide range of whistleblower categories, from fraudulent billing for medical equipment, dental treatment or hospice care to insider trading schemes and pharmaceutical kickbacks.

What Are Some Common Types Of Whistleblower Cases?

With more than 40 years of experience, I have handled numerous types of whistleblower and qui tam claims, including:

• Home health care fraud: Billing for services not provided or unnecessary services in home health care settings.
• Medicaid/Medicare fraud: When health care providers submit false claims to obtain unentitled payments from government programs.
• Hospital/doctor fraud: Includes practices such as overbilling, billing for services not rendered, or performing unnecessary medical procedures.
• Government contract fraud: Contractors providing false information or failing to deliver on contractual obligations with government entities.
• Dentist fraud: Encompasses fraudulent billing practices such as charging for procedures not performed or inflating costs.
• Stark Law and anti-kickback violations: When health care providers receive improper payments or incentives for patient referrals, violating federal laws.
• Pharmaceutical fraud: Illegal practices by drug manufacturers, such as off-label marketing or inflating drug prices to defraud health care programs.

Each type of fraud requires a specific approach. With my range of experience and my long record of successful outcomes, I know exactly how to investigate your claim and then uncover evidence.

Are Whistleblowers Protected?

Yes and no. State and federal whistleblower laws make it illegal to retaliate against an employee who reports fraud or suspicious activity. But there are limitations to those protections and strict protocols for reporting wrongdoing. I guide clients through the process to protect their anonymity and their rights.

Many of my clients initially reported their suspicions within the chain of command and were either told by their superiors to keep quiet or suffered swift backlash. I have successfully sued employers who engaged in wrongful termination and other illegal whistleblower retaliation.

What Is A Qui Tam Lawsuit?

The federal False Claims Act (FCA) provides a monetary incentive for whistleblowing on fraud in government contracting. The whistleblower files a qui tam (on behalf of the government) action outlining the suspected wrongdoing. If the federal government recovers any of the ill-gotten gains, the whistleblower can collect a percentage as their reward. The Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act (TMFPA) likewise allows relators (whistleblowers) to share in the state’s civil fraud recovery.

My clients have helped expose multimillion-dollar fraud schemes at both the federal and state levels, with many six-figure, seven-figure and even eight-figure awards to those whistleblowers. The amount of an FCA/TMFPA award and attorney fees depends on the whistleblower’s contributions to the prosecution. It is not necessary that you know all the details as long you are the first person to come forward with material information that bears fruit for government investigators.

Consult An Experienced Dallas Whistleblower Attorney For Free

If you believe your company is stealing from the government, I can explain the law and walk you through every stage of the legal process. Call my Dallas law office at 214-617-2181 or contact me online. You will work directly with me and consultations are free and confidential. I handle these types of cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you owe me no legal fees or expenses unless I obtain a recovery.